The Christmas season is now in full swing, and many of us will be shopping for that extra special gift we want to give the ones whom we love, in hopes that they will have something to cherish for a long time. Christmas is a special time of giving, but in doing this special act of kindness, we have to remember that material gifts are not going to last forever. Therefore, we should not put too much emphasis on that “extra special gift.” Also, when giving, it should represent the heart, not the wallet. The greatest example of giving is illustrated in John 3:16 (KJV): “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Further, in our giving, remember these words, as well, from 2 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV): “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
Sadly, it is during this time of year that family members and friends fall out with each other over gifts or no gifts. They hurl statements such as these at one another: “You gave her something and didn’t give me anything.” “His gift costs more than mine: does that mean you love him more?” “If my ring is not at least two carats, I don’t want it!” This is not what Christmas is about! It is about the love of Jesus Christ and how He came to be born in a manger as the Savior of this world. Therefore, “Jesus is the reason for the season,” not who gets the biggest and best gifts. Excessively focusing on material gifts takes the real meaning out of this special day, and that should never happen.
Please read, ponder, and share this Christmas story, “The Homeless Man with Terminal Cancer Who Gave Everything He Had,” about love and giving in spite of circumstances. “A homeless man in Colorado used what little he had to give a selfless gift during a toy drive at a local Walmart. Glen McCarthy walked to Walmart to get a cup of coffee, and was instantly touched by the toy drive that was going on. He ended up buying a Barbie and a Hot Wheels set, but he couldn’t stop thinking about a shiny new kid’s bike he saw. ‘And I looked at that bike, and the bike was marked $59, but the tag underneath it said $44,’ he said.
“It’s not a lot of money for some, but for Glen, it was nearly everything. Later that night, he still couldn’t stop thinking about the bike and how happy it would make a kid in his shoes, come Christmas morning. He walked back to Walmart and asked about the bike, since the tag listed two different prices. Once a clerk realized what he was doing, she told him that he could have the bike for $44.
“‘I got to thinking, this is probably going to be my last Christmas. I’m no one, so might as well make some little kid happy. It took my losing everything to realize that I’m happier now in my life than when I had when I had big money,’ he said.”
Give the gift of love, always abound in the faith, and never leave home without Him!
